A/N: First off, Sorry to all my readers for how long this chapter took to post. Some other things came up and I had to put it on hold for a bit. That said, I should have a few more chapters written in the coming weeks.
Secondly, I had an interesting thought. Would anyone be interested in my writing some side stories of Ian and the others using the Hard light constructs to have a few crossover fights as separate fanfic entries? Some example appearances would be That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime, MARVEL, Overlord, Bleach, Danny Phantom, Kim Possible and other series being summoned into the training area using the sentient hardlight constructs but all of this is of course only side stories and would most likely not be used as main story content. Feel free to leave reviews with your preferred matchups you'd like to see!
Now ON WITH THE SHOW!
A few days later Raven and Ian were on the roof, both cross legged and floating, muttering Raven's mantra. Ian found it calming, and Scott himself had explained through their link that it was due to the demonic side of him using similar incantations, though he never said what the specifics were.
As the two of them levitated in piece and serenity, Ian heard a voice call out to him, and would have decided to ignore it if he didn't feel a familiarity to it. Though it sounded unlike anyone he knew and he couldn't make out any coherence, he stopped levitating and opened his eyes standing up and rubbing his head.
"Ian? What's wrong?" Raven asked sensing his discomfort and cracking an eye open.
He looked around, "I heard a voice… but I don't know who she is..." he muttered.
"She?" Raven asked curiously.
Ian nodded, "It was definitely a woman. I could feel a familiarity about her, and it wasn't you, but the vibe was similar." He tried to think of who the strange voice could be. Raven, however, stood and reached a hand towards his head. "May I?" she asked. He nodded, and she touched his forehead.
"Rae...ve...n" the voice spoke as she touched his forehead. Raven immediately severed their link and breathed one word. "Mother?"
Ian gasped, but quickly recovered, "So Arella is calling out to me?"
Raven sighed, "So you know about even that part of me I see. I mean by now it shouldn't be surprising, but still-"
Ian smiled, "This is gonna sound crazy… but we could visit her!" he smiled. Raven looked ready to cry, "Ian… she's dea-"
"I mean in the past, Rae. We may not be able to just go as we please, but I can't see why we couldn't go to Azarath before it's destruction! Besides, I want to see you as a cute five year old anyway!" he chuckled.
She blushed at the words 'cute five year old' but asked, "But what if we rewrite history?" in a concerned tone of voice.
Ian smirked, "What if we were supposed to? What if your mother called to me because something was supposed to happen?"
"So I can see grandma?" Catherine asked excitedly, causing the door to give out under her weight again in her excitement as if she had been spying on them for the entire time. Raven turned around and said, "We're talking about changing history here. Don't you get it?"
Catherine waved a hand, "We can always just call the Flash or something!"
"Oh so you know about Flashpoint too?" Ian laughed. "Well that's not really needed when Arella's involved. Besides, she's a pacifist, and she's the one who spoke to me, so what's the worry if we go see her in case of something that was predestined or prophesied to happen?"
"Well it would change the fabric of reality if you're wrong!" Raven argued.
Ian sighed, "I know you've seen her before in times of need, and she called out to me too, so why are you frightened? Is it because you think she won't accept me?"
Raven stuttered. "I… no that's not… I guess that might be a part of it?" she admitted.
Ian smiled comfortingly and hugged her, "Don't worry about me. Everything will turn out fine. I promise." He said. In that moment, a portal swallowed the three of them up.
Ian looked around as they were all transported and found themselves in Azarath. "See now what did I tell you. That wasn't my doing, and it waited until we were all… wait a minute! Is that-"
"Well hello to you too!" Arella smiled back at him, a small girl with purple hair and a blue robe standing next to her squeezing her hand timidly.
Raven's eyes widened, (the older one) as she looked at herself from all that time ago, wondering why she couldn't remember seeing an older version of herself in the past if this was supposed to happen while the 5 year old stared back scared.
Arella squeezed her hand and smiled, "Don't be frightened Raven. This is still you. Besides, you did ask if you would ever find that special someone one day, did you not?" she smiled kindly at her 5 year old daughter. The younger Raven hid behind her mother and peeked out at Ian shyly.
Ian smiled, she was so adorable he could only slowly walk over and reach a hand out to her. Her eyes seemed terrified as he reached out until he ruffled her hair and said, "Well if you were this cute when you were young, why are you so scared of me Rae?"
A massive shock wave of dark energy escaped from her as she heard the word cute, but Ian didn't even flinch. Her eyes widened as he stood unaffected. "Mr… you didn't feel that?" she asked.
Ian smiled, "Well call me crazy if you want, but we're the same you and me. I'm a half demon too!" he spoke kindly and without a hint of falsehood to her.
The young girl's eyes widened, "You're like me?" she asked. Ian nodded, "See. you're not alone. Also, see the big you over there? she's 19! See! You don't destroy the world. Don't worry about daddy so much okay? you're stronger than you think!"
Arella's eyes also widened hearing what he said, and she couldn't help but turn to her older daughter, "You did it?" she asked, Raven smiled and nodded. "He has no control over me any longer mother." she answered with a smile. As she was at peace, nothing exploded or even shook from the smile, and the younger Raven looked around in awe, before finally noticing Catherine standing there, "Mommy, who's that girl?"
Arella looked past Raven and Ian to see Catherine and answered, "I don't know… I didn't think I summoned anyone els-"
"Hi grandma!" Catherine shouted. Arella blinked and fell to her knees, but Ian explained the situation while he helped her stand.
The 5 year old Raven looked like she was going to ask where babies came from, so Ian changed the topic. "So was there a reason you summoned us?"
Arella sighed, "Actually, I was hoping to ask you something, but if Catherine is any indication, then I suppose asking will just be an inconvenience. You certainly have my blessing. That being said, if you truly are a half demon, then why are you so calm and in control of your own power?"
"Actually I'm not as in control as you think. I'm two different entities inhabiting the same body, and one of us is a demon while the other is a human. Together we may be a half demon, but were Scott to escape, I would be near powerless, so the fact that I have control is his own choice." Ian explained, "We both just love her that much." He smiled.
Arella listened intently, but a monk from Azarath ran up to them and called out, "Arella, please, come quickly! We've received word that a dragon is attacking!"
Ian had his doubts, but Scott urged him to reconsider, and Ian spoke to the man, "While we're here we are your allies, allow us to help."
The monk grumbled out a 'she-witch' insult, and Ian's eyes lit up red. "Would you like the dragon taken care of, or your life to get that same treatment?" he spoke.
Arella sighed, "Let them help. I summoned them here, so if you have a problem I shall be held responsible." she said. The man frowned, but said, "We must hurry. Follow me."
As the group ran to the place where the monks were attempting to hold back the dragon, Raven looked horrified and whispered, "No! Ian I can't..."
Ian frowned and knew exactly why she had suddenly stopped running. "Malchior!" He swore under his breath as the large black and purple beast noticed them. it's eyes narrowed as it spotted Raven, and blasted a large fireball at her.
Raven was too terrified to move and seemed to be recounting her prior fears of the dragon's mistreatment of her feelings. Ian blocked the fire at the last second with a large circular magic shield spell that looked similar to a demonic pentagram. His eyes were seething rage. "Stay away from her you BASTARD!" He shouted, both Ian and Scott's voices overlapping as they linked their minds with the sole burning intent to beat the shit out of the dragon that had caused their girlfriend so much agony.
He shot into the air like a missile heading directly for the beast. As Malchior roared in anger at having missed his target, Ian's fist connected with the dragon's jaw and a sickening crack was heard as it was bent sideways. Not letting up he shouted, "I'LL KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID TO HER." as he tapped into Scott's power and blasted Malchior with a tiny amount of what looked like a dark purple hellflame spell. The fire grew until it encompassed the dragon's body and incinerated Malchior until all that was left was bone. As the skeleton fell from the sky, the Monks of Azarath trembled as Ian floated down to the ground and landed next to the beast.
The only sound that could be heard was a five year old yelling "That was SO COOL!" as Ian walked over to the girl and her mother. Arella shook her head to get out of her shocked state and asked, "Who were you talking about when you were angered?"
"Who else? That bastard tried to seduce and kill your daughter in our future before. I doubt he's truly dead if he exists in the future, but I don't care. The fact is I did what I could to protect the worthlessly ungrateful monks here and will protect anyone who I love."
"A demon has no ability to love!" one of the monk's commented indignantly. Ian sighed, "Think what you want, the fact is if I killed you for an opinion like that, there would be nothing left of this place, and this is Raven's home, so I won't do that. Trigon won't be so benevolent." He let the words sink in before opening a portal home, "Catherine, Raven, we're leaving. Oh but before I go… Rae?"
He turned to the five year old version, "Don't think you can never do something just because someone tells you you're not worth anything to them. They're just afraid of your potential. Never forget that."
She nodded with a look of determination, and waved as the three retreated back home.
Arella smiled, "Ian, you are someone I will always respect..." she muttered to herself.
One of the monks looked around and called out, "The dragon's soul remains! Someone get a Binding Tome ready!" before the group of monks sealed it into that accursed book for a certain someone to open years later.
=Back In The Present=
"You were adorable!" Ian smiled at Raven as they were all three on the roof of the tower again. She gulped. "Ian, you took him out with a single attack! How does your power not frighten you?"
Ian sighed, "That wasn't me."
"What?" Raven was confused.
"Scott did all of that. He overshadowed me as soon as Malchior was the one he was up against." Ian admitted. "He wanted to show you just how much he cared, and neither of us could bear to see you so frightened, so he took control and did what needed to be done."
"So you just let him take control? That was reckless!" Raven shook her head.
Ian took a deep breath, deciding it was time to man up and explain some things, "Rae, I don't think you realize how much he actually cares about you. The fact is we're the same person with the same base emotions and to a point the same past, We both 'died' the same way. That is to say we both got transported to our respective universes the same way. which is the only reason he ever agreed to this. He knew I would treat you the way I do or he would have offed me the moment we saw each other in an attempt to steal you. As it is, he never wanted to upset you and neither do I. Why can't you try and accept both of us? It will only make things worse the more hostile you are towards him. Just loving Ian isn't doing Scott any favors, so why would he agree to do this if he wasn't trying to get on your good side?"
Raven blinked. Had she really been so blind to Ian's own opinion of Scott that she ignored what was essentially half of his being?
Raven sighed, "Ian I… no… let him out. He-no Scott is the one I need to apologize to."
Ian smiled and nodded, hugging her and saying, "I love you. You can do this." before closing his eyes and telling Scott to go ahead and take control for now. When his eyes opened again, they were red pupils, but the whites remained. "I am allowing Ian to see through my eyes as well. Otherwise my eyes would be completely red." Scott explained. "Now then, what was it you needed to tell me directly?"
Catherine materialized popcorn and noisily munched on it while she watched.
Raven sighed. "I am sorry for not taking your feelings into account while you were aware of everything going on and tried to help us."
"Well it's not all that surprising considering how little you know of me." Scott shrugged his shoulders. "Still, a little recognition is nice once in a while."
Raven nodded, "I'll try not to ignore you from now on," She said. "And… thank you..."
Scott smirked, "For what?"
Raven blushed, "Protecting me from you-know-who." She answered him.
"What can I say? He deserved it." Scott said with a shrug.
'Munch munch munch' Catherine was audibly enjoying this a little too much.
"So what now?" Scott continued.
Raven raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?" she asked him.
"Well I may not get many more chances to have control like this, and I want to do something special with you." Scott said.
Raven caught on to what he meant. "You want to go on a date without Ian's input don't you?"
Scott surprised her by replying, "No. I want both of us to have equal standing. If we both have the same amount of control, then our power is magnified from the unity of our souls… of course this means we will need to meditate and keep our powers under control, but I want to experience life here just as much as Ian does. Will you help us?" he asked, taking her hands in his.
Raven smiled, "Why do I feel like you are placing your life in my hands?" she asked in a small attempt at humor.
Scott chuckled, "Love you too, Rae." he said.
'Munch munch munch' Catherine finished eating her popcorn and laughed, "You two are more entertaining than a chick flick." she commented.
Scott shot Catherine a glare, but he was used to her comments so that was the extent of his reaction, however Raven turned to her and said, "Are you trying to get flung into the bay?"
Scott sighed, and mentally explained to Ian that they would need to constantly meditate to make this arrangement work, and that both of their minds would remain equally in control if all went well. Before Ian could ask what Scott meant by 'if', Scott muttered something in Azarathian, and the two of them found they were able to use all five senses equally. Ian looked down at his hands and found his vision was more… acute than before. He could sense things he probably shouldn't be able to, but surprisingly it didn't freak him out as much as it calmed him.
Raven looked on with a worried expression, "Are you okay?" she asked him.
Ian nodded, "Maybe we should just go with being called Ian in the long run so it's less confusing..." he started thinking out loud. "Constantly being referred to as two different names will just cause problems later." in the same moment, he spoke again, "I agree. We don't need a dual identity if we are to coexist. But we do need a hero alias… for the public to recognize us as a force for good we need to come up with something..." He turned to Raven, "Any suggestions?"
Raven sighed, "I think we should meet with the others to decide something this important. Kirsty also has the same problem regarding an alias, so it would benefit the team to help. They also need to be brought up to speed on your current state of being."
"WOOOO! NAMING PARTY!" Catherine shouted before zipping to the elevator on the roof and comically jumping up and down in anticipation.
Ian laughed, "Teens… whatchagonnado?"
"Technically we're still teenagers." Raven reminded him, "We aren't really qualified to be parents yet."
Ian smirked, "Keyword is 'Yet'." he said.
Raven blushed.
A/N: I welcome any super aliases for Ian's alter ego at this point. anyone with ideas can leave a review or PM me, either works.